Handicap Accessible Stateroom Question

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Hello everyone! I have a question about booking an accessible stateroom on Disney Cruise Line. We went on a cruise last fall on the Dream and had a wonderful time, however, I was really calustrophobic in our tiny inside stateroom. I'd love to go back on the Dream this year, but we HAVE to book a larger room with a balcony. I've done some research and the accessible staterooms are so much roomier than the others, and I would love to stay in one. I know you are not allowed to book that room category unless you have a handicapped person in your party (which we do not), but I have seen many reports of nonhandicapped people staying in those rooms. Can someone tell me how this works? Can you get on a waiting list for an accessible room should they not all get booked? Thanks for any help you can offer!

Edited to clarify: I am not being cheap. I already have a balcony room reserved. I do not want to take a room away from a handicapped person. I only want the HA room IF no one else needs it.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

We upgraded at the port for our Dream cruise in Jan 2012 and stayed in 8588. It felt huge.

 

[kcashner]

For our fall 2009 cruise, my friend was required to submit documentation that she required the HA cabin (doctor's certification). She was told that it would be kept on file and she would not need to resubmit it for any future cruises.

As another poster stated, we (DD and I) were once upgraded to an HA cabin. If they are not booked by people who have a mobility issue, at a certain point they are released to the general population. Yes, they are much larger, but there are other features that make them less lovely for those who don't need them.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We upgraded at the port for our Dream cruise in Jan 2012 and stayed in 8588. It felt huge.

That is so wierd because that is the exact room I was looking at. Did it have a large balcony also?

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

For our fall 2009 cruise, my friend was required to submit documentation that she required the HA cabin (doctor's certification). She was told that it would be kept on file and she would not need to resubmit it for any future cruises.

As another poster stated, we (DD and I) were once upgraded to an HA cabin. If they are not booked by people who have a mobility issue, at a certain point they are released to the general population. Yes, they are much larger, but there are other features that make them less lovely for those who don't need them.

Do you know exactly what Disney requires as documentation for a HA room? My mom may be going with us and she is not in a wheelchair, but does have health issues that give her a handicap parking tag for her car. I've always assumed that someone in your party must be using a wheelchair to book a HA room, but I don't know. I don't want to book it if I'm not supposed to.

 

[Disney922]

For our upcoming Fantasy cruise. We requested a HA room because we will be bring a foldable wheelchair for DH's Grandfather. The CM told me that it is not guarenteed, but based on his age (97) they would most likely accomodate. We have 2 GTY cabins there is the IGT and our VGT there was assigned HA room 2 weeks ago, we still have not rec'd ours.

BTW DGF won a pool tournament he was in at the senior center last week. We are brining a wheelchair so that he does not have to walk so much all day long(especially going ashore), but he is still going strong!

Missy

 

[mmouse37]

have you check out these staterooms....they are not verandah cabins but much larger than the normal oceanview/inside cabins on Dream/Fantasy.

Cat 9D's
8504, 8006
7504, 7006

Cat 8A's
5018, 5518
5020, 5520
5022, 5522

You can see the difference in size on these deck plans

http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/Main/decks.php?ship=Disney+Fantasy

MJ

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Do you know exactly what Disney requires as documentation for a HA room? My mom may be going with us and she is not in a wheelchair, but does have health issues that give her a handicap parking tag for her car. I've always assumed that someone in your party must be using a wheelchair to book a HA room, but I don't know. I don't want to book it if I'm not supposed to.

Let's just be to the point and honest; you know you are not supposed to book an accessible room. You have already posted so yourself and read the info DCL provides stating so. Please keep in mind there are very few accessible staterooms on any cruiseship. For many people the only option to cruise is when booking an accessible stateroom. Not available equals not going. These rooms are meant for those folks for instance using a wheelchair that simply can not enter a normal stateroom (doors are too cramped), let alone get into the bathroom. Those who can walk enough to not need a mobility aid in their room often book a regular room, having their aid stored either collapsed in the room or outside in a safe non blocking area. Most cruiselines, incl. DCL works with this trying to keep the few accessible rooms available to those with needs. Which includes providing all kinds of aids like a transfer bench for those that need to shower sitting down but can navigate a regular stateroom, hearing aids for those with hearing disabilities etc.

Unfortunately most cruiselines, DCL included, do not crack down enough on the "I need/ want more space therefor book an accessible stateroom" happening. A huge shame when somebody has no luxery of choice because of needing to use a mobility aid within the stateroom, being too big they can't fit through a regular door or shower, need the space in order to be able to use a lift to be able to go in and out of bed etc. etc.

Just having a tag is not a "qualifier" for such a room. A first time booker will be required to fill out a medical form. The form can be downloaded on the DCL website, amongst others. With the questions on their, they are trying to get clear if somebody actually needs the features in an accessible room or not. For instance questions about the type of mobility aid used etc. A physician will have to sign off on the fact that one needs an accessible stateroom and the stated needs and information are correct.


While I understand your situation, I think it's not the route to follow and try to book an accessible room without the absolute need for it. The stateroom being too cramped comes with one huge benefit; the ability to book a larger stateroom. Comes with a pricetag, totally understand that. But an option is better than none. If not already done; get some therapy and work on getting it manageble. The more you get to know your triggers, actions etc. the more knowledge you have to counter it. For instance, many will find an inside stateroom is a huge trigger as they have no direct way to look outside of the room. In those cases, an upgrade to a cat. 9 stateroom can make a huge difference. Having done many price outs, at the moment such a cat. is hardly really more expensive than an inside. I've ran into many differences of it being cheaper or perhaps $10,- more for a 9D then a 11C. Too many folks wanting to try those magical portholes.

Apart from DCL, I'ld grab the option of therapy with 2 hands if I were you. Cramped spaces are a fact in life that can't always be avoided. Finding ways to deal with the anxiety can have a huge positive benefit on quality of life. We all know cruising is the cherry on the cake, but a daily cake without cherry that tastes a lot better is great also.

If accessible rooms end up not all being needed for their features, they will be assigned to the general public. Won't happen until pretty last minute. Being upgraded is one of those factors that can result in this, having a GTY reservation also. So; that could be an other strategy to follow if you want to have a shot of having such a stateroom assigned if it's not needed. But as you can read from enough experiences; it's not uncommon for said rooms to be held back until even the day of check in. Which comes with another piece of knowledge; be at the port early if you want to see if any accessible stateroom is left available and you could switch to it.

As also posted; do your homework! Space isn't everything it's cracked up to be, unless one pays for it in a regular stateroom. Yes the accessible staterooms are larger, but that's because of a must. Resulting in stuff like furniture not being in these type of rooms that can be found in a non-accessible same cat. room. The occupancy number of these rooms tend to differ -again to make room to move around-, resulting in those fewer options that do have space for 4 being booked up first most of the times. Bathroom is "huge" for those viewing it through a not needing it situation. It's so for a reason again and will come with it's own guidebook. Floods for instance, that can or can not be managed. Less storage space is a common thing, for instance making place under the sink for someone to manouver their wheelchair and legs resulting in the storage underneath being removed. Electrical doors being installed that apparently already bug those who don't need the feature as it will take time before it closes -again to leave enough time for somebody needing it to safely go about- and thus waiting around to make sure the door is shut and nobody can get in without a key.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

have you check out these staterooms....they are not verandah cabins but much larger than the normal oceanview/inside cabins on Dream/Fantasy.

Cat 9D's
8504, 8006
7504, 7006

Cat 8A's
5018, 5518
5020, 5520
5022, 5522

You can see the difference in size on these deck plans

http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/Main/decks.php?ship=Disney+Fantasy

MJ

Thank you for this info! They do seem quite a bit larger than the others. Definitely something to consider!

 

[mdvlprof]

I am very understanding about folks with hidden disabilities needing HA rooms. Understand cruise releasing HA rooms after PIF date. But wanting a HA room just because you think regular rooms are too small.... Pay the extra $$ for a balcony room!

We have to book a year ahead [or more] to make sure room we want is available. On some lines [not DCL], we've had to get a suite just because of occupancy - we've found with DS it's better to all be in one room.

 

[kcashner]

You don't HAVE to be in a wheelchair to need an HA cabin. There can be other issues requiring the grab bars, step in shower rather than tub, etc. The spaces are designed to allow most sorts of mobility assist devices--wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, etc. In addition, there are people who may need a chair on the ship due to the huge distances, but may not need any other assists--they can possibly be FINE in a regular cabin, using a chair or scooter to navigate the public areas.

I've read (but cannot confirm) the documentation changes since 2009. My friend needed a doc note specifying why she needed the cabin. She has had mobility issues since childhood--can get around slowly with braces and crutches, but can't get anywhere without either the chair or the braces. She cannot lift her legs over a threshold to step into a tub, shower without a shower chair, or get off a toilet without a grab bar. Translation--no HA cabin/hotel room = no trip.

There are many people on the ship who may use HA parking stickers (can't walk the distance to the store) who don't use the HA rooms on the ship as they don't need those facilities. If you can navigate your home without any special devices, you probably don't NEED the HA cabin. In that case, perhaps you should leave it for someone who can't cruise without it. People who require the HA facilities are sometimes not able to cruise or have to change their dates in order to meet their mobility needs.

What you CAN do is to have a note attached to your reservation that you would like to move to an HA cabin IF it is not needed by someone with mobility issues.

As above, you should be aware of the limitations of these cabins. The one I shared with my friend had no drawer in the desk (to allow the chair to fit under the desk). The items that are normally in the drawer are placed on the top, taking space that you could otherwise use for your stuff. The cabin that we were upgraded to had only the large bed--no drop down, no couch at all! The did offer to bring in a roll away bed because DD and I don't choose to sleep together. There also was no coffee table. All HA rooms have only the single bath (rather than the split bath), and a shower only (no tub). The bathroom facilities are modified to allow for the grab bars, etc. The balcony in the room I shared with my friend was constantly "flooded" with a couple of inches of water. There was a tiny wheelchair ramp and surrounding area that was dry, but most of the big balcony could not be walked on as there was run off from hosing down the higher decks--YUK.

Bottom line--leave the room for those who require them, but if you wish and are willing to accept their limitation, put an note saying "I'd like one if it is not needed by a mobility impaired guest.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Do you know exactly what Disney requires as documentation for a HA room? My mom may be going with us and she is not in a wheelchair, but does have health issues that give her a handicap parking tag for her car. I've always assumed that someone in your party must be using a wheelchair to book a HA room, but I don't know. I don't want to book it if I'm not supposed to.[/QUOTE]

Let's just be to the point and honest; you know you are not supposed to book an accessible room. You have already posted so yourself and read the info DCL provides stating so. Please keep in mind there are very few accessible staterooms on any cruiseship. For many people the only option to cruise is when booking an accessible stateroom. Not available equals not going. These rooms are meant for those folks for instance using a wheelchair that simply can not enter a normal stateroom (doors are too cramped), let alone get into the bathroom. Those who can walk enough to not need a mobility aid in their room often book a regular room, having their aid stored either collapsed in the room or outside in a safe non blocking area. Most cruiselines, incl. DCL works with this trying to keep the few accessible rooms available to those with needs. Which includes providing all kinds of aids like a transfer bench for those that need to shower sitting down but can navigate a regular stateroom, hearing aids for those with hearing disabilities etc.

Unfortunately most cruiselines, DCL included, do not crack down enough on the "I need/ want more space therefor book an accessible stateroom" happening. A huge shame when somebody has no luxery of choice because of needing to use a mobility aid within the stateroom, being too big they can't fit through a regular door or shower, need the space in order to be able to use a lift to be able to go in and out of bed etc. etc.

Just having a tag is not a "qualifier" for such a room. A first time booker will be required to fill out a medical form. The form can be downloaded on the DCL website, amongst others. With the questions on their, they are trying to get clear if somebody actually needs the features in an accessible room or not. For instance questions about the type of mobility aid used etc. A physician will have to sign off on the fact that one needs an accessible stateroom and the stated needs and information are correct.


While I understand your situation, I think it's not the route to follow and try to book an accessible room without the absolute need for it. The stateroom being too cramped comes with one huge benefit; the ability to book a larger stateroom. Comes with a pricetag, totally understand that. But an option is better than none. If not already done; get some therapy and work on getting it manageble. The more you get to know your triggers, actions etc. the more knowledge you have to counter it. For instance, many will find an inside stateroom is a huge trigger as they have no direct way to look outside of the room. In those cases, an upgrade to a cat. 9 stateroom can make a huge difference. Having done many price outs, at the moment such a cat. is hardly really more expensive than an inside. I've ran into many differences of it being cheaper or perhaps $10,- more for a 9D then a 11C. Too many folks wanting to try those magical portholes.

Apart from DCL, I'ld grab the option of therapy with 2 hands if I were you. Cramped spaces are a fact in life that can't always be avoided. Finding ways to deal with the anxiety can have a huge positive benefit on quality of life. We all know cruising is the cherry on the cake, but a daily cake without cherry that tastes a lot better is great also.

If accessible rooms end up not all being needed for their features, they will be assigned to the general public. Won't happen until pretty last minute. Being upgraded is one of those factors that can result in this, having a GTY reservation also. So; that could be an other strategy to follow if you want to have a shot of having such a stateroom assigned if it's not needed. But as you can read from enough experiences; it's not uncommon for said rooms to be held back until even the day of check in. Which comes with another piece of knowledge; be at the port early if you want to see if any accessible stateroom is left available and you could switch to it.

As also posted; do your homework! Space isn't everything it's cracked up to be, unless one pays for it in a regular stateroom. Yes the accessible staterooms are larger, but that's because of a must. Resulting in stuff like furniture not being in these type of rooms that can be found in a non-accessible same cat. room. The occupancy number of these rooms tend to differ -again to make room to move around-, resulting in those fewer options that do have space for 4 being booked up first most of the times. Bathroom is "huge" for those viewing it through a not needing it situation. It's so for a reason again and will come with it's own guidebook. Floods for instance, that can or can not be managed. Less storage space is a common thing, for instance making place under the sink for someone to manouver their wheelchair and legs resulting in the storage underneath being removed. Electrical doors being installed that apparently already bug those who don't need the feature as it will take time before it closes -again to leave enough time for somebody needing it to safely go about- and thus waiting around to make sure the door is shut and nobody can get in without a key.

First let me clarify that I consider myself to be a very honest person and I have no intentions of booking a room that I (or someone in my party) do not qualify for. I would never want to take a room away from someone in a wheelchair which is why I am asking these questions. I was only asking how people who are not handicapped end up in these rooms because I would like to have one IF there are rooms leftover that have not been booked.

And according to what you have said, my mother would qualify for a HA room based on the fast that I am pretty sure she would not be able to fit through the bathroom door of the room we had on our last cruise. I feel certain that she could easily get a note from her doctor stating that she needed a larger room, but I would still feel unsure about booking a HA room for that reason b/c I have always assumed they were only for people in wheelchairs. And again, as I have quoted above, I do NOT want to book any room category that I shouldn't.

As for the therapy... I don't think we need that. We live out in the country in the wide open spaces and almost never find ourselves in a place so tight that we feel claustrophobic. My DH has never even had issues with that before but even he said that he couldn't stand being in that tiny cabin with 3 people and all our luggage. There wasn't even room to move around. You had to just find a spot and stay there. So I think us feeling smothered in there was a pretty normal reaction.

I know that none of you on the DIS know me personally so perhaps that led to some confusion as to what I was asking in my post, but I hope this has clarified what I meant. Thank you for taking the time to post a response to my question though.

 

[Gigi22]

A few years ago DH and I were once 'upgraded' to a handicapped accessible cabin on one of the older HAL ships. The cabin had not been booked before sailing, so it was very much a last minute thing.
I hated the bathroom. There was no tub, only a shower with a fold down seat. There was no barrier at all around the shower, the floor drain for the shower was in the middle of the room. If someone wanted a shower, the entire bathroom space was involved; you had to wait until the water drained off the bathroom floor to use the sink or toilet--or else you had to take off your shoes and walk through puddles.
I am sure that handicapped cabins are a real boon to those who need them, but for others they can be a real PITA. YMMV.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

What you CAN do is to have a note attached to your reservation that you would like to move to an HA cabin IF it is not needed by someone with mobility issues.QUOTE]

This is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

You don't HAVE to be in a wheelchair to need an HA cabin.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't seen anybody on here stating that. Which is a nice change, by the way. Have seen folks, incl. myself, stating there has to be an actual medical need which can't be accomodated in a regular stateroom.

I've read (but cannot confirm) the documentation changes since 2009.

I can confirm the form DCL uses has changed. Mostly it includes a bit more stuff towards the "other than mobility aid" if you ask me.

My friend needed a doc note specifying why she needed the cabin. She has had mobility issues since childhood--can get around slowly with braces and crutches, but can't get anywhere without either the chair or the braces. She cannot lift her legs over a threshold to step into a tub, shower without a shower chair, or get off a toilet without a grab bar. Translation--no HA cabin/hotel room = no trip.

The chair here obviously is the "culpret", but as far as the showerseat goes I just want to repeat that this can be provided in both a regular stateroom and hotel room. Might be a bit annoying, but I know there are still too many folks out there that do not realise it and think they are very limited in booking options when it doesn't have to be luckily.

There are many people on the ship who may use HA parking stickers (can't walk the distance to the store) who don't use the HA rooms on the ship as they don't need those facilities.

*nods head in agreement*

What you CAN do is to have a note attached to your reservation that you would like to move to an HA cabin IF it is not needed by someone with mobility issues.

Tricky, IMHO. I poundered about it, but decided not to mention it. Why? Because I've found too many times -both with hotels and cruises- staff unfortunately seems unable to read it as a preference instead of a need and acts as if it is a need. Just like the many reports of folks who have their WDW reservation tagged with "no HA room" end up getting one.

Obviously not the "fault" of somebody having said note put it, but it is something to consider I think.

As above, you should be aware of the limitations of these cabins. The one I shared with my friend had no drawer in the desk (to allow the chair to fit under the desk). The items that are normally in the drawer are placed on the top, taking space that you could otherwise use for your stuff. The cabin that we were upgraded to had only the large bed--no drop down, no couch at all! The did offer to bring in a roll away bed because DD and I don't choose to sleep together. There also was no coffee table. All HA rooms have only the single bath (rather than the split bath), and a shower only (no tub).

Actually; not true. Not up to spead about the Dreams or Fantasy but on the Magic and Wonder there are some rooms that have shower and tub. Not the norm by far, but there are some to be had. For instance 1 of the cat 6. staterooms have a tub. A great thing for those needs where a tub can be a must again.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I am very understanding about folks with hidden disabilities needing HA rooms. Understand cruise releasing HA rooms after PIF date. But wanting a HA room just because you think regular rooms are too small.... Pay the extra $$ for a balcony room!

We have to book a year ahead [or more] to make sure room we want is available. On some lines [not DCL], we've had to get a suite just because of occupancy - we've found with DS it's better to all be in one room.

I'm sorry if my orginal post was not clear. I have reserved a balcony room. They just don't seem much bigger than the last room we had in comparison to the HA rooms. And I personally do not see anything wrong with wanting a HA room IF no one who needs it has already booked it. I don't want to take a HA room away from anyone, but if its just sitting there not being used, then what is the problem?

 

[sambycat]

]



As for the therapy... I don't think we need that. We live out in the country in the wide open spaces and almost never find ourselves in a place so tight that we feel claustrophobic. My DH has never even had issues with that before but even he said that he couldn't stand being in that tiny cabin with 3 people and all our luggage. There wasn't even room to move around. You had to just find a spot and stay there. So I think us feeling smothered in there was a pretty normal reaction.

.

And yet......
Sounds like a larger "regular" room or two even will do the trick! You will enjoy the verandah!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

You will enjoy the verandah!

I sure hope so. We really enjoyed our cruise but we never wanted to go back to our room except to sleep because it was just so cramped. Hopefully if we feel too piled on top of each other we can just step outside on the balcony for a while.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

And according to what you have said, my mother would qualify for a HA room based on the fast that I am pretty sure she would not be able to fit through the bathroom door of the room we had on our last cruise.

Knock me over the head, but doors are all created about equal. If one can fit into the stateroom, one can get into the bathroom. So either she has a huge problem when booking a regular stateroom as she can't even enter it, or the bathroom door should be fine.

The spec. needs department can easily supply sizes of both regular and accessible stateroom features, included if need be as specific as in stateroom XXXX feature YYY is ZZZ inches and in a AAA degree angle. Can take (quite some) time when needing very specific details instead of the more general standard stuff like door weight etc, but it can be done.

I feel certain that she could easily get a note from her doctor stating that she needed a larger room, but I would still feel unsure about booking a HA room for that reason b/c I have always assumed they were only for people in wheelchairs. And again, as I have quoted above, I do NOT want to book any room category that I shouldn't.

Tip number one; stop talking about LARGER room. This is a huge trigger already, as it will be abused too many times just for that alone. Combine it with the opening post and you get into a messy situation real fast. If there are certain medical needs that have to be met in order to be able to cruise DCL does their best to take care of it where possible an reasonable. You can easily discuss it with DCL. It's smart to keep in mind that a lot can be arranged in a regular stateroom. This is a huge benefit because it results in an optimal freedom instead of being left with a very limited "pool" of options.

Talking in needs is the "golden ticket" here. To get across what one needs, to make the difference from want and to communicate clearly with any company -whether it being DCL or any hotel-. If for no other reason for that huge old one that any miscommunication about what is a need versus a want can end up turning real ugly real fast when having a need. No room for miscommunication, so always communicate in a way there is no question about things. For instance a wheelchair user will talk about navigating doors, turning radius etc. Those in the business themselves will translate that in what that requires of a stateroom or a room. Wording it as needing space can all that easily come across as a want. Even more so in cruising world as it is a rampant abuse problem.

As for the therapy... I don't think we need that. We live out in the country in the wide open spaces and almost never find ourselves in a place so tight that we feel claustrophobic. My DH has never even had issues with that before but even he said that he couldn't stand being in that tiny cabin with 3 people and all our luggage.

Honestly that doesn't sound like clausthropobia as in the well defined definitions but more like caracter. As we all have. However, that is a want and if one wants more room, one has to pay for it. As already posted, the corner staterooms are a great option with those desires. But I could see those coming with a risk of them being booked up a.s.a.p. as anybody would love more space.

If there is a situation of a physicological problem, therapy is the way to go. Great that daily life doesn't have that many challenges that can't be avoided but apparently there is one big enough where you are looking into creative ways to deal with it. That alone is something that could be very freeing to overcome. Not just financially.

There wasn't even room to move around. You had to just find a spot and stay there. So I think us feeling smothered in there was a pretty normal reaction.

Sorry to say, but that's just a pure want. Luxery. If you want more space, pay for it. Can understand the want, but that does come with a pricetag. Same as I decide not to book a higher stateroom cat. just because I'ld like more space in my room. Can't afford it, so I'll just have to do with the left over path in between all of that space consuming medical stuff I have to lug around. While I might need an HA stateroom to fit my powerchair amongst others and having my medical stuff there is a need, having more room than that is a luxery want on my part. Conclusion; I'ld personally rather cruise and be cramped up than having to wait -way- longer and pay more.

Which comes with a "hidden" message ;-) ; even if you are able to book a HA stateroom that fits 4 (your family and mom) as they tend to be snatched up first; you may very well not find it all that roomy when actually medically needing said space. After all; the space is being used up. Keep in mind then when looking on the deck plans, you only see the outline of a stateroom. Yes, the living area also is larger but a large amount of space is taken up by the bathroom. Put in the furniture, keeping in mind walkways for mobility aids and it gets cramped real fast when wanting to put 4 adults in there. Having a look at reports quickly learn that for instance when having the sleeping arrangements in place for 3 or 4 people can result in there not being enough space in all areas for a wheelchair to get about, for instance resulting in those needing the mobility aid having to sleep in certain spots or others having to make way.

Personally, I'ld never have 4 into any stateroom unless it's a family with very small kids on a very tight budget. It is cramped, simple as that. To paint a perspective for you; 7006 that you can book is the EXACT same size as is the accessible 6006. In living space you will have MORE space in that non accessible 7006 thanks to no accessible bathroom. Way better option when in the situation of your husband. When still in doubt; google and look at the pictures. If mom does end up needing an accessible room, don't all book into one room. You will be cramped. It will be lot more spacious to try to grab a regular corner stateroom for yourself and an other stateroom (whatever she might need) for mom.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I sure hope so. We really enjoyed our cruise but we never wanted to go back to our room except to sleep because it was just so cramped. Hopefully if we feel too piled on top of each other we can just step outside on the balcony for a while.

Ah, but here you go. The stateroom is just for sleeping. Eyes closed, the bare minimum room for that and the rest of your time awake; enjoying the rest of the ship.

Balcony will be a totally different experience. Try not to get too hyped about being able to sit out there and all, as that can easily disappoint when being used to living in the country. Balconies also are very size..... economized. Sit or stand and stay put, basically. Great times can be head out there, but when used to the space you are I'ld rather go into this expecting it to be cramped than having too dreamy ideas about sitting out there enjoying a drink and space. Kinda like the romantic pictures one easily can get on here.

But it is a total different experience being able to just hop out there and smell the fresh air. Or open up the door and smell fresh air coming in. Seeing daylight and having a skyline while in the room instead of your view being cut of by a wall feeling only more cramped. Totally different experience from an inside.